Melone promoted to CTO at Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless promoted Anthony Melone to senior vice president and CTO. The former VP of the carrier’s network operations will now head the team that supports the technology, architecture, planning, design and operation of Verizon Wireless’ nationwide network.
Melone will also be responsible for managing the company’s network capital investment program, which reached $6.6 billion in 2006 and has already hit $3.4 billion in the first half of this year. Melone succeeds Dick Lynch, who was recently named CTO of Verizon Communications Inc.
“Tony’s experience and expertise will serve us well as we continue to strengthen our greatest competitive advantage-the nation’s most reliable wireless network-by making it even better,” President and CEO Lowell McAdam said in a statement.
“We will continue to make the reliability and reach of our quality wireless network our No. 1 advantage by growing in new markets, enhancing coverage in existing markets and developing new products and services,” Melone said.
Melone has 25 years of experience in telecommunications and joined Verizon Wireless as staff vice president of network planning and administration when the carrier was formed in 2000.